While breast milk remains as the best food for babies, scientists and experts have discovered the latest breakthrough in pediatric nutrition—milk fat globule membrane or MFGM—which several studies have proven to contribute in the behavioral or EQ development of children.
In a recent press conference held at the Cebu City Marriott Hotel, MFGM expert Tore Jesper Andersen presented studies which prove that MFGM-enriched milk has positive effects on the cognitive development of infants and young children.
Andersen said maternal lactating cells release lipids protected by a multi-layered membrane known as MFGM.
In short, MFGM is a naturally-occurring ingredient in breastmilk which contains lipids (fats) important for brain structure and
function.
One of the lipids contained by breastmilk is phospholipid and bovine milk from cows is the only phospholipid source with similar profile compared to human’s milk.
In the manufacturing process of formula milk, MFGM is typically lost. With the recent breakthrough, experts worked on the fragile and delicate handling during the manufacturing process to extract MFGM.
Cognitive scores
Citing a study published by Dr. Niklas Timby of Umea University in Sweden, Andersen showed that infants fed with MFGM-enriched milk had significantly higher cognitive score compared to those who fed formula milk without MFGM.
The cognitive score was not as different from the results of breastfed infants.
Another study by Timby showed that MFGM is beneficial in strengthening the immune system of children.
“It was found that milk formula added with MFGM fraction have reduced incidence of acute otitis media (middle ear infection) and episodes of bloody diarrhea in infants,” the study noted.
A different study conducted by Genevieve Veereman-Wauters established that “children who consumed formula enriched with MFGM demonstrated significantly improved parent-reported scores for behavioral regulation compared to children receiving control formula without MFGM enrichment.”
Brain development
What does these studies boil down to? What is the importance of MFGM and why should parents care about this breakthrough?
Andersen said the infant brain at birth is approximately 25 percent of its adult size. The next five years of the child’s life is when the brain rapidly develops. Experts say by age three, a child’s brain will be 80 percent of its adult size. By age five, the brain would have reached 90 percent of its adult size.
This is natural development process which tells parents one thing: the first five years of life define a child’s formative years, where every triumph becomes a learning milestone as it shows the child’s potential to achieve success in the future.
“MFGM-enriched formula (milk) has a great potential to narrow the gap in the development between formula-fed and breastfed infants,” said Andersen.
Andersen said it took a decade for experts to study MFGM before going out in public. Unfortunately, MFGM-enriched formula milk is not yet available in the Philippines although it is now being distributed in China, United States and European countries.
But it will only be a matter of time before the product will reach Philippine ground.
For now, Andersen’s advice is to discuss this with your pediatricians as they are “fast adaptors and are always in the lookout for evidence-based products that are safe and effective.”
